Voltage clamp circuit for switched inductive loads

Details Voltage clamp circuit for switched inductive loads Voltage clamp circuit for switched inductive loads

1986-03-07

1987-04-14

Salce, Patrick R.

Electricity: power supply or regulation systems

Output level responsive

Using a three or more terminal semiconductive device as the...

361 91, 357 2313, G05F 156

Patent

active

046582037

ABSTRACT:
When in control circuit for varying the current through an inductive load the current is sent as pulses of variable width and each time that occurs is cut off by the electronic switch in series with the load across the power line a high inductive voltage is generated. When the electronic switch control terminal is disabled, the electronic switch will turn off and no current can flow through the switch. Thus, the inductive energy in the load, since it cannot continue to flow, generates a very high inductive voltage which can do damage to equipment and personnel. A clamping circuit is provided by means of two series diodes. One diode is a Zener diode with known breakdown potential. The other is a simple diode. The Zener diode has its cathode tied to the junction between the switch and the load and the simple diode has its cathode attached to the control electrode of the electronic switch. When the switch is opened and the inductive voltage appears at the junction between the load and the switch, the voltage tends to flow through the Zener diode and the simple diode. When this current flows through the Zener diode and the simple diode to the control electrode of the electronic switch, the electronic switch will turn on and will momentarily carry to ground the current that wants to flow from the load through the switch to ground. As this current drops to zero, the inductive voltage drops to zero, the electronic switch turns off and the system is disabled until the next control pulse is received on the electronic switch.

REFERENCES:
patent: 4181921 (1980-01-01), Taylor et al.
patent: 4237509 (1980-12-01), Asplund
patent: 4455526 (1984-06-01), Miller
patent: 4492974 (1985-01-01), Yoshida et al.

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